If you’re in the market for a lash serum, you probably noticed that some of them contain prostaglandins while others don’t. Prostaglandins serums are effective but can cause some side effects, some of which are permanent.
Thankfully, peptides-based serums are an excellent alternative with less chance for side effects.
In this article, I compiled a list of popular eyelash growth serums and analyzed the ingredients to know if they contained prostaglandins or not. That way, you can choose the product that’s right for you!
Let’s dive into it!
Disclaimer: Although I have been doing eyelash enhancement treatments for years, I am not a doctor. All content and information in this post are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your own Medical Provider regarding any questions or concerns you have about your specific health before implementing any recommendations or suggestions from our Website.
Why You Should Care About Prostaglandins
Latisse is the only FDA-approved eyelash growth serum on the market. The active ingredient is bimatoprost, a type of prostaglandin.
Now, because of the extensive clinical studies that were done, we know that Latisse is effective at growing your eyelashes, but we also know that it comes with possible side effects.
Therefore, any other eyelash serum that uses a prostaglandin analog compound is subject to the same side effects.
The most common adverse events from prostaglandin lash serums are:
- Itchy eyes
- Dryness
- Darkening of the skin around the eye
- Darkening of the eye color
- Eye Inflammation
- Swelling of the retina
- Fat atrophy around the eye
So what’s the problem?
Except for Latisse, prostaglandin-based lash growth serums are sold as cosmetics and are not subject to FDA approval like a medication would.
This means that the companies don’t have to do extensive safety testing like they would for a drug.
That’s a big issue.
In reality, these products should be treated as medication since they use an active ingredient.
That’s why deciding whether or not you are okay with the potential side effects of a prostaglandin analog eyelash growth serum is so important.
Lash Serums With Prostaglandins
| Eyelash Serum | Contains Prostaglandin? | Active Ingredient | Ingredient List |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latisse | Yes | Bimatoprost | Active ingredient: bimatoprost Inactive ingredients: benzalkonium chloride; sodium chloride; sodium phosphate, dibasic; citric acid; and purified water. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may be added to adjust pH. The pH during its shelf life ranges from 6.8 – 7.8. Source: https://www.latisse.com/pdfs/LatisseProductInformation.pdf |
| GrandeLASH | Yes | Isopropyl Cloprostenate | Water/Aqua/Eau, Panthenol, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Alanine, Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arctostaphylos Uva URSI Leaf Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita (Metricaria) Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Histidine, Honey Extract/Mel/Extrait de Miel, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Isoleucine, Isopropyl Cloprostenate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, PCA, Phenylalanine, Polysorbate 20, Proline, Propylene Glycol, Serine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Threonine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot) Leaf Extract, Valine, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite Source: https://grandecosmetics.com/products/grandelash-md |
| R + F Lash Boost | Yes | Isopropyl Cloprostenate | Water/Aqua/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Biotin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isopropyl Cloprostenate, Octapeptide-2, Allantoin, Panthenol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Pantethine, Polypeptide-23, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Extract, Glycerin, Sea Water, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Fruit Extract, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rhizobian Gum, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, PVP, Lecithin, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide Source: https://www.rodanandfields.com/en-us/shop/r-f-lash-boost/p/ENHLSH01 |
| RevitaLash | Yes | Dechloro Dihydroxy Difluoro Ethylcloprostenolamide | Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Biotin, Cellulose Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium Phosphate, Phosphoric Acid, Dechloro Dihydroxy Difluoro Ethylcloprostenolamide, Butylene Glycol, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Panax Ginseng Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Protein, Pentylene Glycol, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Octapeptide-2 Source: https://www.revitalash.com/products/revitalash-advanced-eyelash-conditioner |
| neuLASH | Yes | Isopropyl Cloprostenate | Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biotin, Panthenol, Pantethine, Allantoin, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sea Water (Maris Aqua), Octapeptide-2, Copper Tripeptide-1, sh-Polypeptide-1, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Alcohol, Isopropyl Cloprostenate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Oleate, Dicalcium Phosphate Source: https://skinresearchlabs.com/products/neulash-lash-enhancing-serum |
| RapidLash | Yes | Isopropyl Cloprostenate | Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, HydroxyethylcelIulose, Octapeptide-2, Copper Tripeptide-1, Biotin, Panthenol, sh-Polypeptide-1, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Extract Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed, Glycosaminoglycans, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Pantethine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sea Water (Maris Aqua), Glycerin, Rhizobian Gum, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate, Ethyl Acetate, Sodium Oleate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Alcohol Denat., lsopropyl Cloprostenate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Potassium, Sorbate, Disodium EDTA Source: https://rapidlash.com/products/rapidlash-eyelash-serum |
| Babe Lash | Yes | Isopropyl Cloprostenate | Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Citrate, Leuconostoc / Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Alanine, Alcohol, Arbutin, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Biotin, Calcium Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Histidine, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Isoleucine, Sodium Lactate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, PCA, Valine, Phenylalanine, Polydextrose, Polysorbate 20, Proline, Propylene Glycol, Serine, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isopropyl Cloprostenate, Yeast Extract, Sodium PCA, Threonine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite. Source:https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2460/2627/files/2022_BabeOriginal_Mobile_FullWarnings-Ingredients_f4ee9a0a-5b20-4dc7-b9a6-85ab031040d4.pdf?v=1655400590 |
| Uklash Serum | Yes | Isopropyl Cloprostenate | Aqua, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Isopropyl Cloprostenate, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Panthenol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate Source: https://www.uklash.com/products/eyelash-serum |
Bimatoprost is not the only prostaglandin analog you can find! When analyzing the ingredient list, you can find synthetic prostaglandin compounds such as:
- Isopropyl cloprostenate
- Isopropyl phenyl hydroxypentane
- Dihydroxy cyclopentyl heptane
- Dechloro dihydroxy difluoro ethylcloprostenolamide
So it’s important to be aware of these other names when reading the label.
Lash Serums Without Prostaglandins
- Lash Luxury
- LASHFOOD Serum
- Adoreeye lash serum
- Vegamour GRO lash serum
- The Ordinary lash serum
- Forever Lash
- Velour Lash Serum
- ForLash Serum
Best Lash Serum Quick Verdict
I’ve ranked the best eyelash growth serums available today! My #1 favorite is formulated without any prostaglandins. Stay away from harmful ingredients that could cause irritation or more dangerous side effects.
Most of these serums are peptides-based which means they stimulate the growth of your own lashes by promoting the production of keratin. Most of these serums will support your eyelashes during the 3 phases of the growth cycle:
- Anagen (active growth phase)
- Catagen (transition phase)
- Telogen (resting phase)
Yes, they have fewer clinical studies to back them up. However, they are much less likely to cause side effects. At the end of the day, you have to make the decision and accept the risks that come with it.
FAQ
What Are Prostaglandins in Lash Serums?
Prostaglandins used in eyelash growth serums increase the length of the eyelashes by extending the anagen (growth phase) of the hair follicle growth cycle.
Are There Prostaglandins in Lash Boost?
Yes. Lash boost contains isopropyl cloprostenate, a synthetic prostaglandin analog.
Does Revitalash Contain Prostaglandins?
Yes. Revitalash contains dechloro dihydroxy difluoro ethylcloprostenolamide, a synthetic prostaglandin analog.
Does Latisse Contain Prostaglandins?
Yes. Latisse contains bimatoprost, a type of prostaglandin.
Do All Lash Serums Contain Prostaglandins?
No. Some lash serums are prostaglandin-free. Most of them use peptides which are chains of amino acids, the building blocks of the proteins found in your eyelashes.
Does the ordinary lash serum have prostaglandin?
No, this eyelash growth serum is prostaglandin-free.
Does UKLash serum have prostaglandin?
Yes. It contains Isopropyl Cloprostenate, a prostaglandin analog.
Does Babe Lash have prostaglandin?
Yes. Isopropyl Cloprostenate is a prostaglandin analog.
Does Lash Therapy Australia have prostaglandins?
No. Lash Therapy serum is free of prostaglandins.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right eyelash growth serum is not an easy task.
The problem is that most of them contain synthetic prostaglandins which can cause serious side effects BUT they haven’t gone through the same safety testing as a medication would.
I don’t want to seem pessimistic. You might not experience any adverse events with a prostaglandin serum.
I myself have used one for months. But at least, I knew what I was getting into and made that decision with all the information at my fingertips.
I hope this list helps you with your decision. Of course, it is not exhaustive and there might be other lash serums not mentioned here. If you want me to take a look at a particular serum, just drop me a comment below!
– Asako 🙂
Additional Readings on DivineLashes.ca: If you’re on the fence about which lash serum to choose, make sure to read my guides on the best eyelash growth serums available today, which one is FDA-approved, and their possible side effects.
Awesome article! I’ve been using Revitalash for a year now and have had the most beautiful lashes but in the last month I’ve constantly had red, sore eyes with pimples along my lash line (and darkened skin). It’s been SO sad and I’ve been pushing through hoping it’s just allergies, but your article has validated it’s time for me to quit.
When you said you’ve had good (but slow) results with prostaglandin-free serums, do you have one in particular? And are the results as beautiful as one of the harmful ones, just takes much longer for results?
Thank you so much, look forward to your reply 🙂
I tried a few that are prostaglandin-free but the one I preferred was Lash Luxury. Yes the results took longer and objectively were not as dramatic but I felt much better with my decision knowing the potential side effects.
Does the darker pigmentation caused by these serums ever disappear? After using Uk lash serum I have intense dark shadows on both inner corners of the eye up to the lower area around the side of the nose and I hope that it’s not permanent ?
It’s hard to tell but it could be. You should seek medical help immediately.
Hi Asako!
I started using Terez and Honor eyelash serum and I noticed that my eyes are now bloodshot red? Do you know why this has happened? I’m confused because the ingredients seem to be prostaglandins free. Here is the ingredients list: purified water, alanine, isoleucine, arginine, glutamic acid, serine, valine, lysine, threonine, aspartic acid, histidine, butanediol, polygonum multiform extract, nymphaea coerulea flower extract, panax ginseng root extract, hydrolyzed silk, oligopeptide-1. Thank you so much for your help!
Hi Erika,
Sometimes ingredients other than prostaglandins can cause irritations. But yes, I don’t see prostaglandins in this ingredient list. Have you tried taking a break to see if your serum really is the cause? If so, it might be worth giving another one a shot. I’ve listed my favorite ones here: https://divinelashes.ca/blog/lash-serum/
Does Augustinus Bader eyelash serum have prostaglandis?
I’ll have to look into it!
Hello,
I’ve been using Scorolash for the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, this past weekend I have suffered from major headaches and constant irritation in one eye. I actually threw the instructions and the ingredient sheets away. Do you know if Scorolash has any prostaglandins or derivatives of any kind in their ingredients?
Hi Shereen,
I’ll have to look into this one!
I’m curious about scorolash too please! Here is the list of ingredients they have on their website:
Cucurbita Pepo Pumpkin Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Pentapeptide-17, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Oligopeptide-10, Aqua, Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Biotin.
Hello. What about Hello
Skincare Lash Therapy? Does it contain prostaglandins?
I’ll have to take a look at that one!
Does this apply to the brow serums?
Hi Mia,
I’m not too familiar with brow serums but it’s something I want to get into.